Nowadays, saffron is very much appreciated in the whole world for its great medicinal and health benefits. This natural herb is one of the most highly valued herbal medicine in the traditional practice of Asian medicine.
Not only does it add incredible flavor to many dishes, but it is also proven to be of great and extreme help in different health conditions nowadays.
If you are one of those people who consume saffron regularly, good for you and it is time that you know the benefits it gives your health and your body.
Many online pharmacy that contains traditional herbs and spices which are seldom obtainable in other local stores, so you can buy not only qualified saffron but also many other best herbs & spices from here.”
Let us discuss some of the basic information that you should know about saffron.
BASIC INFO OF SAFFRON
Saffron is a gorgeously exotic spice that can add brilliant flavor to many dishes. It is a plant that blooms during the late fall—farmers are learning new ways of lengthening the blooming season in order to produce more of it.
Due to it being difficult to harvest and due to its very short blooming season, this spice is quite expensive in price. This plant is a spice that came from Crocus Sativus flower—this flower is from the family of lily flowers.
This spice originated from Greece—in this place, it was revered due to its health benefits and medicinal properties.
IMPRESSIVE HEALTH BENEFITS OF SAFFRON
Now that you know some of the basic information that you should know about saffron, here are some of its greatest benefits that are proven by several studies and researches:
1. Being a Powerful Antioxidant
Antioxidant is one of the most famous words that you hear when talking about healthy foods. Well, saffron is known to contain a lot of compounds that have antioxidant properties. Antioxidants are known to protect a person’s cells from oxidative stress and free radicals. Some of the compounds that saffron contains are the following: kaempferol, crocin, safranal and crocetin.
If you do not know, free radicals and the oxidative stress in a person’s body may play a very big role in developing different health conditions such as heart diseases and cancer. Well, as mentioned above, saffron protects the body and prevents it from developing those diseases.
Also, both the crocetin and the crocin are compounds that are proven to have anti-depressant properties that protect a person’s brain cells against some developing damage. These two compounds also reduce any inflammation in the body. Also, it reduces the appetite of person; thus, plays a big role in aiding a person to lose weight.
As mentioned above, saffron also contains safranal—this is one of the compounds that enhances the memory and some learning abilities. It is also a compound that is known to protect a person’s brain cells from oxidative stress.
2. Treats Depressive Symptoms
Have you ever wondered why saffron is also known as the ‘sunshine spice’? Well, that is not because of its distinctly bright color. It is because this natural herb is known to help brighten a person’s mood. In several studies, this natural herb is proven and tested to be more effective in treating mild to moderate symptoms of depression when compared to placebos.
Another good thing about this natural herb is that it does not give any negative side effects compared when you take anti-depressant drugs that you can find at the stores and pharmacies.
3. Having Cancer-Fighting Properties
As you know, free radical damages are great connected or linked to developing several chronic diseases such as cancer. Fortunately, saffron is very high in antioxidants that are proven to neutralize the negative and harmful effects of free radicals. One of the amazing findings about saffron is that it has been proven to kill cancer cells such as colon cancer cells.
It has also been found out that saffron suppresses the growth of these specific cells. This property of saffron is positively selective; meaning to say, it only kills the harmful cells and leaves the normal cells safe and unharmed.
This cancer-fighting properties of saffron does not only apply to colon cancer, it also is proven to do the same with the following: skin cancer cells, bone marrow cancer cells, prostate cancer cells, lung cancer cells, breast cancer cells, cervix cancer cells and many other cancer cells.
4. Reduces the Symptoms of PMS
Premenstrual Syndrome is one of the most hated conditions of women—this is a phase where they experience psychological, physical and even emotional symptoms before having their monthly period. Well, saffron also comes in handy when treating this kind of condition. It is even more effective when compared to placebo.
It is proven that taking 30 milligrams of saffron everyday may treat different PMS symptoms such as the following: being irritable, having headaches, having some cravings and experiencing excessive pain. Another amazing thing about saffron is that it can reduce some other PMS symptoms such as anxiety and having high levels of cortisol by just simply smelling or sniffing it for 20 minutes.
5. Having Aphrodisiac Properties
When something is described as an aphrodisiac, it is something, a food or a supplement, that boosts a person’s libido. Studies and researches have proven that saffron also have aphrodisiac properties.
There are studies that have proven that taking 30 milligrams of saffron every day for four consecutive weeks can help in improving conditions such as erectile function. While further studies are still needed in order to prove that the intake of saffron also improves some semen characteristics, it is enough for now to know that it boosts a person’s libido.
Also, taking 30 milligrams of saffron daily for beyond four consecutive weeks can reduce women’s sex-related pains. It also increases their lubrication as well as the sexual desire they are feeling.
6. Reduces Appetite & Aids in Weight Loss
While eating is one of the most enjoyable things that people can do, it leads to gaining a lot of weight. According to some studies and researches, saffron is an effective natural herb to reduce the appetite of a person; thus, aiding the person to lose weight.
Studies have proven that taking saffron supplements helps reduce the body mass index of a person, reduce the circumference of the waist and reduce the total fat mass in the body too.
It is still unclear to scientists as to how saffron curbs the appetite. But one theory they have is because it boosts and improves the mood of person, his or her desire to have snacks or eat food is reduced.
7. Alleviates the Risk of Heart Diseases
It has been proven by studies that the antioxidant that is found in saffron can help lower high levels of blood cholesterol in the body and also prevents the clogging of the arteries and blood vessels.
those positive effects, the risk of developing heart diseases is lessened or reduced. Saffron is also proven to lower high levels of blood sugar; thus, reducing the risk of developing diabetes. Also, it raises a person’s sensitivity to insulin.
8. Improves Eyesight & Memory
Saffron is also proven in some studies to improve the eyesight of elderly people especially those who have age-related macular degeneration or AMD. It improves the eyesight by protecting a person from free radical damages that are greatly linked to age-related macular damage.
, since saffron contains antioxidant properties, it may also improve the cognition and memory of adult people. Not just normal adult people, patients with Alzheimer’s disease who take saffron supplements have shown improved cognition and memory too.
HOW TO UTILIZE SAFFRON?
There are so many ways to consume saffron and add it to your daily diet. One of which is by adding some few strands to one cup of water, then drinking it. Another way is to add saffron to different dishes such as rice dishes, risottos and paellas.
Due to its unique flavor, it really gives life and more flavor to different dishes. Also, saffron is available as a supplement at different stores nowadays. Although saffron is one of the most expensive spices in the world today, the health benefits it gives is incomparable to the amount it costs.
TAKEAWAY
Overall, saffron is truly one of the most powerful, natural herbs that the world has. Despite its flavor and taste, it also has some benefits that are good for the health. Some of you are consuming it for a long time now without knowing its benefits, but it is good to know that it positively affects your body, right? Well, if you have not tried taking or consuming saffron yet, you are missing out on a lot of health benefits—it is safe for most, if not all, people.
With all its benefits, it is safe to say that saffron is one of the most incredible herbs that can be taken in so many ways—just choose the way that you are comfortable with. Truly, it has improved a lot of health conditions and it still does. With all its helpful properties, there is no wonder as to why it is still relevantly used nowadays.
